Wheel brake



C. HOLLERITH WHEEL BRAKE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 7, 1945. c. HOLLERITH WHEEL BRAKE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 vvu CHARLES HULLERITH Patented Aug. 7, 1945 WHEELBBAKE Charles Holler-1th. Jackson, Mich assignor to Bayes Industries, Inc., Jackson,

ration of Michigan Mich. a corpo- Application January 29, 1942, Serial No. 4zs,c4s-- 13 Claims. (or lea-452) The present invention relates to wheels and more particularly to wheels peculiarly adaptable for use on aircraft and provided in combination with brakes.

Wheels of the character to which the present invention are applied are generally known. The present invention relates to details of construction which constitute the means whereby wheels of the character described are lighter in weight, more efficient and of longer life than wheels of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a wheel of the character described having a brake element splined to the hub thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a part of the brake structure of a'material of a difierent coemcient of expansion than the balance of the wheel for the purpose of restricting expansion strain due to the heating up of the brake in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multisection wheel body with means for securing the sections together and associating the means with the brake friction members for preventing relative movement of the brake friction members with respect to the wheel body.

These and other objects residing in the arrangement, construction and combination of the parts will be apparent from the following specification when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a vertical section of one form of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 11-41 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another form of the invention, and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Pi 3, but reduced in size.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the reference character I indicates a wheel hub supported-by an axle 2, and held on the axle by a nut 3. The hub supports through bearings 4 and 5, respectively, wheel sections 6 and 1. The section 6 has a rim portion 8 and the section I has a rim portion 9. The rim portions 8 and 9 are butted together and the wheel sections 6 and I, together-with the rim sections 8 and 9, are held together by a plurality of eircumferentialiy spaced bolts ID. The wheel portions 6 and I are provided with a plurality of radiating circumferentially spaced reinforcing webs H and I2.

The wheel portions 6 and I have integral annular, extending plate portions i! and ii, to

which are secured by screws II, respectively, an-

nular, radially extending frlction plates l8 and 6 IS. The plates l8 and I9 as shown particularly adjacent the top of Fig. 1 are provided with a series of circumferentially spaced, peripheral U- shaped recesses 20 through which the bolts Ill extend, the bolts l0 constituting drivers for the friction plates l8 and iii to prevent relative rotational movement of the friction plates l8 and is when the brakes are applied.

' Extending between the friction plates l8 and i9 is a brake member 2|. The brake member 2] is constituted by a structure radially extending from the huh I, with which a driving connection is provided by a ring 22 having an annular shoulder 23 splined to an annular boss 24 on the hub i.

The ring 22 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced weight reducing openings 25, and has clamped to the opposite sides thereof by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 26-, a pair of radially extending annular plates 2'! and 28.- The plates 2'! and 28 extend between the friction plates l8 and i8 and have suitably connected thereto brake linings or shoes 29 and 30, respectively. The linings 29 and 30, respectively, are disposed adjacent the friction plates i9 and I8 for operative contact therewith.

Disposed between the plates i8 and i9 is a rubher or the like hydraulic tube 33 arranged to receive a hydraulic fluid under pressure to expand and thus to urge the brake linings 29 and 30 into frictional engagement with the friction plates 19 and I8, respectively. The outer ends of the plates [8 and 19 are overlapped over the outer periphery of the hydraulic tube 33 for resisting outward stress thereof upon being subjected to internal hydraulic pressure. For collapsing the hydraulic tube 33 and drawing the brake linings 29 and 30 away from the friction plates 19 and I8 as the brake is rendered inoperative, there are provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring clips 38 which are sprung over the ends of the plates 21 and 28 and disposed in appropriate recesses therein as shown.

Hydraulic fluid under pressure for expanding the hydraulic tube 33 to, apply the brake is conducted from any suitable hydraulic fluid pressure generating apparatus not shown, by a tube 81 to a duct 38 in the hub i. The duct 38 communicates with a cavity 39 in the hub l which opens into a tapped bore-40 in which is threaded a fitting 4| having a central bore 42 therein. The. -tapped bore '40 is in a portion 41 of the boss 24 provided without splines. Slidably positioned in the bore 42 is one end of a stem 43, the opposite end of which is vulcanized to an integ al neck 44 of the hydraulic tube 33. Disposed about the stem 43 is a gland nut 45 threaded into the outer end of the fitting 4| and bearing against rubber or the like packing 45 for providing a. seal between the fitting H and the stem 43. A sealing gasket 48 is provided between the fitting 4I and a seat 48 on the portion 41 of the annular boss 24. An opening 50 is provided in the ring 22 for receiving the fitting 4| and its gland nut 45 and the stem 43 passes through a radial bore 5i extending in the ring 22 outwardly from the opening 56, all as shown in Fig. 2.

The body sections 6 and l of the wheel have provided between them and the huh I conventional grease seals 52, and the sections 5 and 1 are maintained on the hub I by a ring 53 threaded to the outer end 54 of the hub I, and bearing huh I, and the friction plates I5 and I5 rotate with the wheel, the hub being stationary, the frictional engagement between the linings 28 and 3|! and the friction plates I8 and I5 brakes the rotation of the wheel. The splined connection section 58 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping bolts 57 for clamping the three sections, 58, 59 and 80, together to provide a unitary wheel. The unitary wheel is maintained on the hub 55 by a ring 68 threaded on the outer end 59 of the hub 55 and bearing against the inner race of the bearing 54.

The webs GI and 62 have annular, friction plates 15, respectively, secured thereto by circumferentially spaced screws 16. Axially inwardly spaced from the friction plates I5 are inner, annular, friction plates TI secured to the rim section 59 by circumferentially spaced screws iii. Thefriction plates 11 are provided with axially inwardly extending cylindrical portions it which abut at 8B. The plates 11 and the cylindrical sections it are reinforced by a plurality of circumferentially spaced gussets M. The friction plates TE and cylindrical sections it units are made of cast iron whereas the balance of the wheel structural members are made of a light weight alloy of a higher coemcieut of eapmon than cast iron, so that when the friction plates between the brake member 2| and the hub I per- 5 mits the brake member 2I to float axially of the hub to compensate for any variations in axial alignment of the brake member 2I with respect to the wheel. Such variations in axial alignment may arise from such causes as tolerances in manuf'acture and wear of the linings 29 and 35. While the stem 43 is rigidly secured to the huh I, it will be observed that the outer end thereof is vulcanized in the resilient neck 44 of the hydraulic tube 33 Thus, any tendency to axial floating of the brake member 2| will not be prevented by the stem 43 since both the neck 44 and the stem 43 will'yield to permit axial floating.

As the brakes areapplied there will be a tendency of the friction plates I5 and I5 to rotate relatively to the plates I5 and II of the wheel sections 5 and .1, respectively. This tendency to rotate is restrained, not only by the securing screws II, but also by the wheel section connecting bolts II, which pass through recesses 20 in the friction plates I8 and I9.

Another form of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4. In this form of the invention. the essential difference resides in the fact that there are two sets of brakes instead 01' one, as shown 1! become heated in operation and expand, these plates together with their cylindrical sections ll,

will expand 135 per'unit rise of heat than the balance of the wheel and thus have a less tendency to exert a strain on the wheel. Also, the cylindrical'sections 18 abutting at 80 will reinforce the friction plates Tl as an axial thrust is placed against them during the operation of the brakes.

Between each set of friction plates I5 and 11 there is disposed a brake member 42, which corresponds to the brake member 2 I disclosed in Fig. 1. As shown, each brake member 82 has an annular shoulder 83 splined to an annular boss 84 on the hub 55. Each annular boss 84 has a portion thereon from which the splines are omitted and into which a bored fitting I5 is threaded to communicate with a duct 55 in the hub, which in turn communicates with a tube 81 for connection to a suitable hydraulic fluidpressure generating apparatus. As shown particularly in Fig. 4; there is a separate duct 58 in the hub 55 for each brake member 52, the ducts 55 being angularly spaced about 30 degrees. The provision of separate ducts for each brake member 82 permits individual operation of .each brake as a safety feature.

The annular shoulders 83 are parts of annular rings 90, to which are clamped plates BI by bolts 92. Brake linings 93 and 94 are secured to the plates SI and held thereby in position for movement into frictional contact with the friction plates I5 and I1, respectively. Disposed between bearings 53 and 84, respectively. The webs II and 52 are reinforced by webs 12 extending ra- 7o dially outwardly and parallel to the axis of the hub 55. Associated with the bearings. and 54 are the usual grease seals 55. Extending through the webs BI and 52. and through radially inthe plates 9| are tubular rubber or the like hydraulic tubes 95, each of which has communication with its duct 85 through a stem 98 connected in scaling relation to its fitting 85 by the gland nut 91 and packing 95, in the same manher as the corresponding structure disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

For retracting the brake linings 53 and 94 from the friction plates" and I1 when the brakes are released, there are provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring clips 99 bearing against the outer sides of the outer ends of the plates 9|. In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 3, an alternative method of restraining the outward bulging of the hydraulic tubes 95 is provided. Instead of overlapping the ends of the brake lining supporting plates 9| over the ends of the hydraulic tubes 55, as shown in wardly and axially extending bosses 45 of therim 15 Fig. 1, the hydraulic tubes 05 each has about the periphery thereof a restraining band or strap I00. 1

In the operation of the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 3, hydraulic fluid under pressure is directed through the stems 96 to the hydraulic tubes 95 to expand the same tourge the brake linings 93 and 94 into frictional contact with the friction plates 15 and 11, respectively. The brake members 82 will float axially by virtue of the splined connections between the annular shoulders 83 and the annular bosses 84, the same as the corresponding construction in Fig. 1. Also,

pair of annular axially spaced flanges extending the friction plates and 11 are restrained against relative rotation with respect to the wheel by the clamping bolts 61 which pass through circumferentially spaced recesses i0! in the outer edges of the friction plates 15 and 11, in the same manner as the corresponding structure in Fig.- 1.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4, as above pointed. out, the cylindricalsections 19, integral with the friction plates Ti,- serve to reinforce the ,friction plates 11 againstinward deflection and yet due to the fact that they are made of cast iron do not expand an undesirably great amount with respect to the rest of the Wheel due to the heat generated during braking. In the above forms of the invention, the reinforcing webs II and I2 of Fig. 1 and 12 of Fig. 3 are closely associated with the brake structure and therefore .help to dissipate the heat generated.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

1. In a wheel of the character described, a hub, a body supported by said hub, bearings between said hub and said body, a pair of annular axially spaced brake friction members supported by said body, a unitary brake supporting part having a splined connection with said hub, brake members .connected at their inner ends to said part and extending radially into operative relation with and between said friction members,.and means to actuate said brake members, whereby said splined connection permits the brake members and part to axially float between said friction members as a unit. 2. In a wheel of the character described, a hub, a body supported by said hub, bearing means between said hub and said body, a pair of annular axially spaced friction members supported by said body, an annular brake member having a splined connection withsaid hub, said brake member extending radially into operative relation with and between said friction members, hydraulic means to actuate said brake member, a hydraulic connection carried by said hub having communication with said hydraulic means and having clearance with said splined connection, a flexible connection between said hydraulic connection and said brake element, whereby said splined and flexible connections permit said brake member to axially float between said friction members.

3. In a wheel of the character described, a hub, a multiple section body supported by said hub, bearing means between said hub and said body, a pair of annular axially spaced brake friction members supported by said body, bolts for securing said body sections together, portions of said bolts intersecting said friction members, slots extending inwardly from the periphery of said friction members in which said bolts are received to anchor said friction members against relative. rotation with respect to said body, an anradially from said hub, bearings-between said flanges and said hub, rim portions supported by the outer portions of said flanges, said rim portions being spaced, a central rim portion, means securing all of said rim portions togetherto provide a rim, a pair of radially inwardly extending annular brake friction members, means support-' ing said friction members from at least one of said rim portions, a pair of annular brake. fricjtion members secured to the outer portion of said flanges, one friction member of each of said pairs being adjacent one another and separated, anv

annular brake member extending'radiall into operative relation with and'between each of said adjacent friction members, a connection between said brake members and said hub, and reinforcing rings extending axially inwardly from each of said first named friction members of one of said pairs, said rings abutting one another.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the connections between the brake members and the hub are splined.

\ 6. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the means securing said rim portions together is in operative relation with said friction members for anchoring said friction members against relative rotation with respect to the rim.

'7. The invention as defined in claim4 wherein the inner friction members and the respective .axially extending reinforcing rings are respectively integral and are constructed from material having a lower coefiicient of expansion than that of the rim and radially extending flanges.

8. In a wheel of the character described, a hub, a multiple section body supported by said hub, bearing means between said hub and said body, a pair of annular, axially spaced brake friction members supported by" said body, means for securing said body sections together, an operative connection between said securing means and said friction members to anchor said friction members against relative rotation with respect to said body, an annular brake member splined to said hub and extending radially into operative relation with and between said friction members, and meansto actuate said brake member, whereby said splined connection permits said brake member to axially float between said friction members.

9.- In a wheel of the character described, a hub, a multiple section body supported by said hub, bearing means between said hub and said body, a pair of annular, axially spaced brake friction members supported by said body, axially extending, circumferentially spaced bolts for securing said body sections together, an operative connection between said bolts and said friction members to anchor said friction members against relative rotation with respect to said body, an annular brake member splined to said hub and extending radially into operative relation with I and between said friction members, and means to actuate said brake member, whereby said splined connection permits said brake member to said brake rotor hub portiomwherebysaid brake stator part as a unit is floated between said brake rotor parts.

ating said brake-member, ailuid conducting memfor hydraulic fluid in said hub, and a connection between said member and said conduit 10-. cated in the plane of said splined connection and having clearance with said brake connection.

- 11. A wheel and brake assembly com r ing a wheel body, including axially spaced -structural surfaces, spaced brake-rotor parts supported by said surfaces, a brake stator part vdisposed be- .tween said rotor parts; said stator part having a rigid hub portion and a pair of spaced flexible ber connected to said hydraulic tube, a conduit 1 12. A wheel and interior brake assembly comprising a wheel body having exterior structural parts of one material, a brakehoused by said exterior parts, and an interior structural housins wheel part of another material of a lower coeficient of expansion, said exterior and interior wheelparts being subjected to high-braking, temperatures generated 'by said brake.

outer portions, a fixed wheel part; and an axially. slidable connection between said wheel part and go 13. A wheeland interior brake assembly comprising a wheel body having 'exterior structural parts, a pair ofbrakes housed by said exterior parts and axially spaced therein, and interior structural wheel'parts disposed between said brakes, said interior structural parts being of a different-material than said exterior parts and having a lower coefllcient or expansion."

CHARLES HOILERITH. 

